Questions to ask your spine surgeon

Questions to ask your spine surgeon

5 min read Reviewed by Dr. XYZ (pending)
Educational only. This is not personal medical advice. A physician must review your own MRI and symptoms.

Start with your goals

Tell your surgeon what matters most: pain relief, walking farther, returning to work, or understanding options. Clear goals help the visit stay focused.

Questions about the image

Which findings on my MRI best match my symptoms? Which findings are common and may be less related? Do I need more imaging or a full study review?

Items worth bringing to a surgeon visit
Items worth bringing to a surgeon visit

Questions about options

What nonsurgical options still make sense for me? What would make you consider a procedure? What are the tradeoffs you want me to understand? Ask for explanations in plain language.

Questions about timing and support

What should I watch for that means I should call sooner? Who do I contact with new weakness or bladder changes? How will we decide on next steps together?

How SpineLens fits

After an educational summary, SpineLens suggests personalized questions from what may be visible. Bring them to the visit. Your surgeon answers with your full history and exam.